WHATCanines-N-Kids
Foundation, a nonprofit committed to finding a cure to the
devastating cancers that canines and children both develop, is hosting
the first Paws
for a Cure Summit. With a significant grant from the
Petco Foundation in conjunction with the Blue
Buffalo Foundation, the event is convening the foremost leaders and
researchers in veterinary and pediatric oncology, immunology and
translational science, industry and the advocacy community with a goal
of developing a pathway to innovative pediatric cancer treatments that
may also help man’s best friend. The sessions will explore: how canine
cancers represent in their human counterparts; unique challenges
scientists face in studying canine cancers; the state of conducting
canine trials; gaps in pediatric oncology that can be addressed through
the canine model; innovative comparative work ongoing; advocating for
both pet and pediatric patients; and developing a roadmap for integrated
drug development. The V Foundation for Cancer Research (Cary, NC) and
the Quad W Foundation (Dallas, Texas) are also Summit sponsors.

WHYMore than 16,000 children and 6 million dogs get
diagnosed with cancer each year. The problems inherent in designing and
implementing pediatric oncology clinical trials coupled with scant
resources makes finding a cure difficult. In fact, only three new
medicines have been developed for pediatric cancer in the last 30 years,
only 4% of the NIH’s budget goes to kids’ cancer and virtually no
pharmaceutical funding goes to pediatric cancer research. For dogs
diagnosed with cancer, the outlook is no better. Comparative oncology,
the study of similar cancers that occur in animals and people, offers
tremendous opportunity to find treatments that will benefit both.

--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Dogs and kids spontaneously develop a number of similar cancers. Canines-N-Kids is hosting Paws for a Cure Summit on June 12 in DC with leading vet and pediatric canc... more »